Latvian mythology

Latvian mythology is quite old and it is impossible to track to the time when it was workshiped widely. First written information about it can be tracked back to AD 98, when Roman Tacitus wrote about worship of a goddess-mother in the Baltic region. Later in 12-13th century Christianization started and forcibly Latvian mythology lost its position. Thought, got to say that many of Latvian mythology traditions mixed with Christianity. For example, Jāņi (Midsummer night, summer solstice) The festival's current date has shifted a few days from 21 June/22 June when the summer solstice actually takes place due to its somewhat incongruous association with Saint John the Baptist's feast day, which falls on 24 June. Still, traditions of Jāņi contain no reference to Christianity or any Christian symbolism.

Also many other "christian" celebrations holds "latvian" names and their traditions contains lot of references to Latvian mythology - Christmas is Ziemassvētki (Winter festival), Easter is Lieldienas (Big/Great-days).

Got to say that there aren't written religious texts for Latvian mythology, it got passed down in form of folk songs, sayings and stories. Only in 19th century all those folk songs got collected and clasified. And basing on them you can see in what and who old latvians believed. Because of that, it is hard to say which was the main deity. Some basic info about them you can find HERE. Thought I got to mention, that there is no purely evil deity in Latvian mythology. There is Velns (Devil), but he got his evil side only in the influence of christianity. Otherwise he was rather mischievous, silly, not that smart guy, who often got outwitted by Dievs (God) or his nasty plans failed. There were few evil spirits, but they were rather minor.
Very widespread was "Mothers' cult" - almost everything had Mother (Mother of the Wind, Mother of the Wood, Mother of the Souls and so on).

I must say that Latvian mythology is kind, respectful and kinda witty minded. It highly values family, work, bread. It shows high respect deceased and death. Death is never showed as evil creature. She is Mother of the Souls, who takes the souls of dead people and brings them to "After sun".
Interesting fact - reading noticed about deceaced people you will pretty much never see "died" or something like that. Mostly there will be text how XXX moved on, went to after sun, will never walk among us and so on. And probably the "grave culture" is one of the best in the world... People take care after the graves carefully. Old ladies will even refuse to move away to have easier life as then they won't be able to visit the graves.

Being lazy is something bad... Work must be done either you like it or not. And it must be done well. People who are willing to work for 120% are valued highly. Besides - no work is shameful as long as you do it honestly. Watching how other works while you lazy around... that's bad.
Bread/food - is result of other person's hard work. It is disrespectful to mistreat food, play with it or throw out.

Religions and mythologies

I have always found religions and mythologies as interesting subjects. Even though I do count as lutheran, I can't say that I am a believer. I am more realistic and practical in this matter and I like to figure out how they fit in "bigger picture". Even if we aren't very religious, it is part of our life, culture and makes us who we are. While history crafts our "nation's mentality", religion crafts our believes and values.

Even if our family isn't religious, they still teaches us to not steal, to not lie, to be kind to others, to be helpful, to not be prideful... and what does christianity teaches us? Pretty much the same. Also for Latvians there is latvian mythology... don't waste food; if you drop piece of bread, then you have to pick it up and kiss it as appology; respect elderly; don't be afraid from work...

For centuries our parents, their parents and even their parents' parents where thought values which changed only slightly. And these values doesn't change that easily, no matter how much time passes, no matter if we continue to believe or no. Latvian mythology is almost like a fairy tale now, but we are still following few rules and sayings, for example, killing spiders are bad as they bring luck to home. So if you want to understand other people, you got to know their religious background (and history). Without knowing it, you can't say that you understand them.